Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down- IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer

I am a tech-freak and work on my laptop for almost 8-9 hours a day. Therefore, not having a laptop to work on hampers my mindset as well as impedes my professional life. There was a time when my laptop went kaput because of a kid who came to my home and tried to mess around with the laptop and ended up getting it defunct.

So, I was working on my organisation’s data and was about to start analysing the collected information to present it on the evening of that day when I got a call from my aunt that she would be visiting me along with her 5 year old. I was quite happy upon hearing that and went to receive her at the station. Upon reaching our home, we conversed for about an hour and then she said that she was feeling quite knackered after the journey and would like to doze off for a while. Meanwhile, I went out to the nearby market to shop for groceries and forgot about the laptop and that mischievous five-year-old kid. He splashed a jug of water over the screen and threw it on the floor as he thought it was a toy to play with.

After I learned about all that had happened, I took the laptop to the service centre in the vicinity. However, the agent said that the condition of that laptop was beyond any service or any recuperative measure. I felt dejected as all my data and hard work went down the drain.

Vocabulary

• Hamper

Meaning: obstruct
Eg.: If your studies are hampered because of the trip, you will not be allowed to go.

• Impede

Meaning: prevent; discourage
Eg.: Not taking medicine at the proper time will deter your health.

• Kaput

Meaning: destroyed
Eg.: Their bond went kaput after this hellish incident.

• Knackered

Meaning: exhausted
Eg.: He was knackered after the tour and took a few days off from work.

• Dejected

Meaning: hopeless
Eg.: I felt dejected when my favourite team lost.

Part 3 Questions

• What do people use computers for?

Computers have become an indispensable part of our lives today, and people use them for innumerable reasons, including data collection, marketing, researching, computing, chatting, etc.

• Should students be allowed to use computers at school?

Well, of course, they should be allowed to use computers. But, it should be permitted only if they are monitored vigilantly with proper proxy servers that don’t allow them to access the sites they shouldn’t be accessing. For study purposes, it is imperative that they use computers.

• What do you think of people who are addicted to computers?

Being obsessed with anything can be detrimental to one’s life. So, people who are addicted to using computers out of proportion and balance are prone to many diseases. So, they should be watchful of their usage.

• Do you think computers make our life simpler or more complex?

I believe computers have made our lives easier and very relaxing compared to how it was almost 5-6 years ago. Technology has dislodged the significant conventional aspects of our lives and has made our multi-tasking lives relatively more manageable.

Vocabulary

• Indispensable

Meaning: essential
Eg.: Water is an indispensable source of life.

• Innumerable

Meaning: many
Eg.: There are innumerable cases against them, but due to lack of proof, they roam freely.

• Vigilantly

Meaning: carefully.
Eg.: You need to carry out this process vigilantly.

• Imperative

Meaning: important
Eg.: It is imperative to do your homework before coming to the class.

• Detrimental

Meaning: harmful
Eg.: Not taking precautionary measures is detrimental to his health.